An Australian party which has been criticised in the past for being anti-immigrant wants the current laws on New Zealander immigration relaxed.

The One Nation Party, led by controversial politician Pauline Hanson, a New South Wales Senate candidate, says it's not fair that New Zealanders are allowed to live and work in Australia but aren't allowed to become citizens if they have arrived after 2001.

One Nation national chairman Rod Evans says the two countries have a special relationship and immigration laws should reflect that.

"New Zealand is our nearest neighbour with a similar kind of culture and we certainly come from the same roots and with our ANZAC connections that have gone our now for many years," Mr Evans told Pacific Beat.

Mr Evans is critical of a change in policy in 2001, that requires New Zealand citizens to apply for a permanent visa in order to access certain social welfare payments.

If New Zealanders do not apply, or fail to obtain permanent residence, they can still remain in Australia and move about freely.

But Mr Evans says the policy is discriminatory and unfair to New Zealanders who are paying tax in Australia, and is calling for the rules to be eased.

"The immigration policy that's being run in this country is beyond the realms, it really needs to be corrected," Mr Evans said.

"The Kiwis are our closest friends. And have been right through back to the ANZAC days and when you shed blood on the battlefield like that, and you are brothers in arms...politicians shouldn't be able to turn that aside just with a sweep of their pen just because they think it's a good idea at the time," Mr Evans said.